Surface plants to cover ground area usually maintained at a height less than 18 inches. Ground cover plants should be vigorous, with dense foliage and a spreading habit so as to adequately cover soil areas. Ground covers should be evergreen and winter hardy and may be a vine or low shrub. Ground covers are often used in tight leftover areas so as to reduce lawn maintenance in such areas. Plant selections for ground covers should require little or no maintenance.

CommonName

ScientificName

Size

Exposure

Features

Problems

English Ivy

Hedera helix

.

-shade-likes moisture

-fast growing-dense evergreen vine-propagated from runners or cuttings-harmless to trees-varieties have varying size and color of leaf

.

Ajuga

Ajuga reptans

1-3 in.

-shade or partial sun-loamy well-drained soil

-fast growing evergreen-blue flower spikes in spring-good for rock gardens and recommended for small areas-green, bronze or purple variegated varieties